ARKANSAS
Overview: Arkansas had a huge season last year by winning the SEC West and earning a spot in the Capital One Bowl. The Hogs return the best running back in college football with Darren McFadden.
Arkansas has done a decent job recruiting the past few years but you must remember that nearly all of the big players from the 2006 class have left for other schools. Rivals.com ranks the last three classes at 31, 26, and 24 for an average ranking of 27.
The biggest problems for Arkansas have occurred off the field. The Hogs have lost several big time football players because they were not happy, the athletic director was forced to retire, the offensive coordinator left for Tulsa, and head coach Nutt continues to be under pressure despite having had a great 2006 season.
Offense: Darren McFadden is the best running back in the SEC since Bo Jackson. He can score from any place on the field and can even get under center and take snaps as a QB. Arkansas has a chance to win any game they play in because of this special player.
The QB position is ugly after losing their 5-star QB of the future to USC. The group of players remaining are inconsistent and incapable of running a college offense. Marcus Monk is one of the better receivers in the SEC who should provide a big target to any QB that can throw the ball down the field which has been a huge problem in the past. The offensive line should be pretty decent despite losing three starters.
Defense: Arkansas lost several players to the NFL that are simply irreplaceable. The defense as a whole should be decent, but a lack of depth could catch up to them.
Conclusion: Too much controversy in the off season will cause the wheels to come off in 2007. Even if the team was able to overlook all the problems around them a lack of passing game and lack of depth on defense will stop Arkansas from achieving what they did last year.
Lamar’s pick: Arkansas will finish 7-5 overall with an SEC record of 3-5. The Hogs will finish fourth in the SEC West.
Arkansas has done a decent job recruiting the past few years but you must remember that nearly all of the big players from the 2006 class have left for other schools. Rivals.com ranks the last three classes at 31, 26, and 24 for an average ranking of 27.
The biggest problems for Arkansas have occurred off the field. The Hogs have lost several big time football players because they were not happy, the athletic director was forced to retire, the offensive coordinator left for Tulsa, and head coach Nutt continues to be under pressure despite having had a great 2006 season.
Offense: Darren McFadden is the best running back in the SEC since Bo Jackson. He can score from any place on the field and can even get under center and take snaps as a QB. Arkansas has a chance to win any game they play in because of this special player.
The QB position is ugly after losing their 5-star QB of the future to USC. The group of players remaining are inconsistent and incapable of running a college offense. Marcus Monk is one of the better receivers in the SEC who should provide a big target to any QB that can throw the ball down the field which has been a huge problem in the past. The offensive line should be pretty decent despite losing three starters.
Defense: Arkansas lost several players to the NFL that are simply irreplaceable. The defense as a whole should be decent, but a lack of depth could catch up to them.
Conclusion: Too much controversy in the off season will cause the wheels to come off in 2007. Even if the team was able to overlook all the problems around them a lack of passing game and lack of depth on defense will stop Arkansas from achieving what they did last year.
Lamar’s pick: Arkansas will finish 7-5 overall with an SEC record of 3-5. The Hogs will finish fourth in the SEC West.
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